"The stage I'm at in my career -- this is exactly what I want," Davie said.

Hired in November after a 10-year absence from coaching, Davie said he hopes to bring respectibility back to the program.

"I think the best jobs in coaching are the ones that are down but shouldn't be down," he said.

The Lobos won just three games in three years under previous head coach Mike Locksley.

"I know they are starved and I feel an obligation just to bring back some pride and some enthusiasm for the state of New Mexico in regards to Lobo football," Davie said.

Davie, 57, has spent the last decade in the broadcast booth for ABC and ESPN. He now returns to the sideline for the first time since 2001 during his final year at Notre Dame. He was fired after five seasons and a 35-25 record.

"The most important thing to me is to be at a place where we have a chance to make a difference, and build a place so hopefully, if we win enough games, this will be a long term situation for me," he said.

Davie said he planned to get players in the weight room in order to grown into a much more physical team. He also said he has to change the attitude of the entire program.